Professor Edna Yamasaki joined the University of Nicosia ten years ago and is currently Head of the Department of Life and Health Sciences at the School of Sciences and Engineering of the University of Nicosia. Her quest for knowledge and her inquiring disposition are among the drivers that have led to a rich career in academia and research.

She received her first degree in Medicine from the School of Medicine at the Federal Fluminense University in Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, before completing her MSc and PhD in Biophysics (Neurobiology) at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. She went on to complete her postdoctoral training at the Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery at the Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School in Boston, MA, USA, at the Department of Anatomy at the Virginia Medical School, Richmond, VA, at the Department of Chemistry at the University of Cyprus, and the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics in Cyprus.

Edna was influenced to study Medicine given that she comes from a family of Medical Doctors. Her interest in Neurosciences was sparked during her time at Medical School when she was inspired by classmates that were also involved in research. An additional determinant was the fact that, during her time in high school, her father suffered an accident that resulted in him becoming nearly paraplegic. She describes herself as a “curious person with diverse interests.” While her major research interests lies in the development, plasticity and degeneration of the nervous system, she has also worked and published on the characterization of new materials with potential biological applications, as well as public health and climate change.

Reflecting on her choice to pursue a career in academia and research, she notes that it was indeed a difficult decision to take; should she follow the path carved out by her father, uncles and cousins or embrace research, which fascinated her? In the end, her inquisitive nature won out. The prospect of being able to ask and, even better, answer questions and the excitement of creating new knowledge was the determining factor that ultimately led to her decision.

Current topics in her field revolve around aging and the degeneration of the central nervous system. She explains that the world population is aging, and with that we see an increase in the incidence of degenerative disorders and an increase in systemic disorders that, ultimately, will have an impact on cognition. Healthy aging and reversing degenerative changes are hot topics at the moment. She points out that understanding the processes that underlie changes, either in the young or in the aging brain, and proposing potential ways to alleviate or compensate for those changes, are very important for a healthy life.

Recent funded programmes that Edna has been engaged in include the CYPHEW project, funded by the Research Promotion Foundation (RPF, as a coordinator), on public health and climate change, where the research team identified a temperature threshold for Cyprus above which hospital admissions and mortality increases. She notes that awareness of the dangers of the excessive warm temperatures during the summer time in Cyprus is of extreme importance, especially for the population at risk, which includes the elderly and young people.

She was also engaged in an infrastructure project (as a partner), funded by the RPF, related to the development and characterization of new polymers with biological applications, as well as a Leonardo da Vinci project (as a collaborator) entitled “Advancing Work Safety for Pest Control Workers, funded by the European Union. Most recently, she was awarded a Erasmus+ project (as a collaborator), entitled HP@SC, aimed towards the promotion of voluntary activities in sport, together with social inclusion, equal opportunities and awareness of the importance of health-enhancing physical activity through increased participation in, and equal access to, sport for all. She is currently preparing another application for Erasmus+ funding.

Upon reflection, Edna notes that it is interesting how an individual’s research interests may change over time. She stresses the importance of having a main area of focus but allowing for one’s natural curiosity and surroundings to allow the research questions to shift over time.

Prof. Yamasaki was recently elected to the post of Vice Rector for Academic Affairs at the University of Nicosia and will assume her new duties in April 2016.

Flash Five

1. What motivates you to come to work on a daily basis?

Curiosity is what drives me forward, but persistence, motivation, and a bit of obstinacy are also essential.

2. What are your favourite and least favourite aspects of your job?

Favourite, unquestionably, being able to ask and answer questions through research. But, I also enjoy learning from students, being surprised by their insights, and being challenged.

My least favourite aspect of my job is correcting exam papers…

3. Do you have any role models?

One of my role models is Dr Linda Chun, who was my supervisor at the Department of Neurosurgery at the Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School in Boston. Her unwavering motivation and drive kept us going on and on. Also, Dr Fernando Garcia de Mello at the Neurochemistry Laboratory, Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, who provided us, then young researchers and faculty, with the necessary infrastructure and support to become independent scientists.

4. What do you enjoy doing during your free time?

Reading a good book or watching a film at the cinema.

5. What advice would you give to aspiring academics and researchers in your field?

It would be for them to find out what their passion is, and work hard towards fulfilling it. The “work hard” part is essential.

Recent Publications

• Isayama et al., (2009). The Anatomic Record, 292:1922-1939. Impact of ethanol on the developing GABAergic system. Special issue in Neural Degeneration and Plasticity.

• Leite et al., (2010). Journal of Neuroimmunology, Oct8;227(1-2):44-51. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor activation reduces skeletal muscle inflammation of mdx mice.

• Pafiti et al., (2012). European Polymer Journal; 48:1422-1430. Cationic star polymer siRNA transfectants interconnected with a piperazine-based cationic cross-linker.

• Tsangari et al (2015). Regional Environmental Change, 19th April, Online first DOI 10.1007/s10113-015-0793-2. Human mortality in Cyprus: the role of temperature and particulate air pollution,

• Tsangari et al (2016). Science of Total Environment; 542:247-253. Extreme weather and air pollution effects on cardiovascular and respiratory hospital admissions in Cyprus.